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Stammen, Balester out for season

Nationals right-handers Craig Stammen and Collin Balester are out for the season. Stammen has a bone spur in the back of his right elbow, while Balester has a strain on his left side. Both players are expected to be ready for Spring Training.

Stammen will have arthroscopic surgery on the elbow Sunday. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Wiemi Douoguih, the team’s medical director. Stammen started 19 games for Washington, going 4-7 with a 5.11 ERA.

Stammen has been playing in pain the entire season, but he felt he could still pitch through it. Stammen was happy the injury wasn’t much worse.

“It’s a relief. It’s never good to have surgery. I guess it’s one of those things that comes up with pitching,” Stammen said. “I decided not to tell anybody about it for the whole season. I decided to pitch through it. I don’t regret anything for a second. I was lucky to take the opportunity when it was given to me.”

As for Balester, he will be shut down for two weeks before participating in baseball activities. By the time he is ready, however, the season will be over. Balester was 1-4 with a 6.82 ERA in seven big-league starts.

The Nationals don’t need a fifth starter until the Sept. 12 against the Marlins. So the plan is to call up another starter until the season is over for Triple-A Syracuse.

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